Baseball mask



Feb. 10, 1953 H. GOLDSMITH 2,627,602

BASEBALL MASK Filed Aug. 8, 1950 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 IN VEN TOR.

W I MVLL H. GOLDSMITH 2,627,602

BASEBALL MASK 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR.

47raM Feb. 10, 1953 Filed Aug. 8, 1950 ball.

Patented Feb. 10, 1953 BASEBALL MASK Hugo Goldsmith, Cincinnati, Ohio,assignor to Sport Products, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, at corporationApplication August 8, 1950, Serial No. 178,233

This invention relates to baseball masks of the type conventionally usedby catchers and umpires and is particularly concerned with a mask of thebar type embodying certain improvements which increase the comfort tothe wearer and the degree of protection accorded, but which at the sametime render the mask less obtrusive and cumbersome without in any wayaffecting its utility.

Baseball masks generally are of two different types, the mesh typeformed of interlaced Wires, in most instances secured at theintersections by welding or the like, and the bar type in which theentire metal portion of the mask is formed from a single integral plateof lightweight metal, such as magnesium, Duralumin or the like. Bar typemasks have to a large extent displaced the mesh type, particularly inprofessional use because they are, generally speaking, lighter in weightand provide a much better degree of visibility.

However, there have been in the past certain objections to masksgenerally, and particularly to those of the bar type. The presentinvention is concerned with the problem of correcting these variousobjections and providing a mask which is substantially more comfortableand which provides a greater degree of protection than any of thestructures which have heretofore been in common use.

With this purpose in mind, one of the objects of the present inventionhas been to provide a maskof the bar type in which an upwardly extendingprojection eliminates any possibility of the user being hit on the topof the head by a While this'general arrangement has been suggested inthe past, it has always been in connection with masks which were notfirmly anchored to the wearers head and which could and sometimes didslip down to a point where a ball could pass over the top of the maskand hit the head of the wearer. Because of the anchoring means providedby the harness utilized in the present invention, the head protectingextension is always maintained in a position above the wearers head sothat cont-act with the ball is virtually impossible.

Another object of the present invention has been to provide a minimum ofpadding positioned in selected areas only with an aperture ofsubstantial width along the line established by the eyes and ears of thewearer. There are two purposes in this type of construction, the firstbeing to increase the degree of side visibility through the mask, andthe second, to pro- 1 Claim.

vide ventilation to the wearers face. This lack of ventilation is aparticular problem in a bar type mask because of the comparatively largeand enclosed areas provided, and is a source of considerable discomfortto a mask wearer who is sometimes required to keep the mask positionedcontinuously for a period of one-half to threefourths of an hour on ahot day.

Another object has been to provide means for adjustably positioning themask on the head of the wearer. Since human heads diiferverysubstantially in size and contours, the ordinary strap and bucklearrangement isfrequently not sufficient to provide a really proper typeof fit. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a furtherdegree of adjustability is provided in that the strap may be passedthrough either one of two or more longitudinally disposed apertures inthe side of the mask plate, thereby greatly increasing the degree ofadjustability.

Other and further objects and advantages will be apparent from thefurther and more detailed description of the invention when consideredin conjunction with the drawings, in which Figure 1 is a side view of amask representing a preferred embodiment of the invention positioned onthe face of a wearer.

Figure 2 is a front view of the same mask.

Figure 3 is a rear view of the same mask, particularly illustrating thelocation of the padding with respect to the mask frame.

Referring now to the drawings for a further and more detaileddescription of the invention, the mask, which in its entiretyisdesignated generally "as H], comprises theplate H whichis preferablycast from some lightweight metal of the types previously specified. Theplate is generally oval in contour and includes an upper head protectingprojection l2, an upper bar [4 extending transversely just above theeyes of the mask wearer, a lower bar l6 positioned somewhat below theeyes and a chin guard l8. Openings designated respectively l3, l5 and Hare provided over the forehead for the eyes and for the mouth. Sideplates designated I9 are adapted to extend beyond the sides of thewearers face as particularly illustrated in Figure 2. Pairs of apertures20 are formed in each of the side plates and are longitudinallyarranged.

The padding utilized to protect the face and head from the shocks ofballs hitting the mask is selectively disposed to provide suflicientprotection and at the same time allow a substantial ventilating space.The upper pad, designated 2|, is adapted to extend across the brow ofthe mask wearer and, as illustrated in Figure 3, depends downwardly onthe side edges only enough to provide suflicient anchorage. This pad isheld in place by means of a cover extension 22 which encircles the barIt and is secured to cover flaps 23 and 24, the flap 23 being passedoutwardly around the rim of the plate and the flap 24 being passedthrough the opening I3. Preferably, the extension 22 and the flaps 23and 24 are secured by a continuous lacing 25. provides a three-pointengagement which serves to hold the pad 2| very securely in position.

The lower pad BS is adapted to fit in the area between the wearersmouth. and the point of his chin. Again, the side portions extendupwardly only sufiiciently to provide a firm anchorage, having asubstantial space between their upper ends and the lower ends of the pad2|. held in position by cover extensions 2? and 28 which fit in therecess portions 29 in the chin guardand are secured thereby the laces3t.

Attention is particularly directed to the barness arrangement providedfor holding the. mask firmly in position on the head. This arrange mentincludes thestrap at which extends around the back of the wearers headand the interconnecting strap 32 extending over the top of the head. Athird strap 33 is passed through an aperture 34 in an upward extension35 of the upper bar it and is secured in position by the buckle 36. Thisthird strap 33. is extended rearwardly over the top of the head andsecured to the strap 34. The fastening straps 3'? form extensions of thestrap 3| and are adapted to be inserted selectively on both sidesthrough either one of the apertures 2Ei20 and then maintained inposition by the buckles 38. The question of which or the two aperturesis utilized depends, of course, on the contour of the wearers head and ahigh degree of adjustability is thereby provided. it is only necessaryto provide, a buckle on one side, of the plate, a sim lar arrangementmay be provided, if desired, onthe other side. The entire arrangementof. the straps forces a pocket-like construction which conforms to theback and sides of the head; holding the mask firmly in position.

The mask is held firmly in position against downwardslipping by thestrap 33 which serves to maintain the protective extension I?! in theproper position at all times thereby eliminating any possibility ofinjury to. the upper portion of thehead by thrown balls or foul tips.

From the above description, it will be appreciated that the mask whichis provided has a number of definite advantages. The head protectingextension i2 is of sufiicient height to pro- This arrangement The pad 25is While tect the top of the head from the impact of balls and issecurely maintained in position against vertical movement by the strap33. The air space provided between the upper pad 2| and the lower pad 26is substantial and permits considerable ventilation as well as improvingthe visibility. The various adjustment means provided in securing theharness are particularly effectiv in providing an exact fit.

Having fully described my invention, I claim:

A baseball mask of the bar type comprising an arcuate plate of generallyoval outline configuration having a plurality of apertures formedtherethrough, the upper portion of said plate when secured in positionon a wearers head extending to a level substantially above the top ofthe head, anol'means for securing the plate in position on thewearersface, said means including side portions on the plate adapted to extendoutwardly along the sides of the wearers face, each of said portionshaving a plurality of vertically disposed strap receiving aperturesformed therein, a first strap adapted for passage through one of saidapertures in each side portion, said strap extending laterally aroundthe sides of the wearers head, a second strap interconnected with saidfirst strap and extending from one side of the head across the top tothe opposite side, the points of juncture or" second strap and saidfirst strap being spaced substantially half the distance from said ovalplate to the rearincst portion of the first strap, and a third strapsecured to the plate at a central point below its'upper edge and securedat its other end to the first named strap, whereby the strapscollectively form a pocket-like construction holding the mask securelyagainst the wearers face, the portions of the first strap locatedforwardly of each of said points of juncture being adapted for angulardisplacement relative to the portion of said face strap being locatedrearwardly of said points of juncture when said first strap is shiftedfrom one of the apertures on each side of the face plate to another ofthe apertures on each side of the face plate.

HUGO GOLDSMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 861,170 Gamble et al. July 23,1907 1,449,183 Johnstone Mar. 20, 1923 1,488,812 Goodman Apr. 1, 19242,028,462 Malcom Jan. 21, 1936

